Here’s how the study works: Read the chapters mentioned in the heading during the week and share any words, thoughts, verses that stood out to you. Having a week for several chapters creates the opportunity to revisit them and make additional comments as you feel inclined as well as make comments on other people’s insights.
36:2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.
Not enough to have the ability but must also be willing to come and do the work.
36:2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work.
Not enough to have the ability but must also be willing to come and do the work.
37:29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.
I wonder where they found a perfumer, considering they were Egyptians slaves? God is able to provide whatever is needed.
37:29 They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense—the work of a perfumer.
I wonder where they found a perfumer, considering they were Egyptians slaves? God is able to provide whatever is needed.
38:8 They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
Who were these women and what did they do?
(Robin Cohn from Biblical Women Week by Week) "Many commentators have argued that the women performed menial tasks at the Tent of Meeting, that they were merely cleaning servants. However the technical Hebrew word used for 'tasks' has a military connotation in contrast to more general terms for 'work' and 'service'. The same word is used when discussing the tasks the Levite priests perform…In Hebrew these women are called hatzov'oth asher tzave'u. Elsewhere the root of tzave'u is used, the primary definition is 'to wage war.' So the term seems to mean women warriors who are stationed at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. In the context of the time when Yahweh's title was the Lord of Hosts (the heavenly warriors), the military role these women played would have also been a religious duty."
38:8 They made the bronze basin and its bronze stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meeting.
Who were these women and what did they do?
(Robin Cohn from Biblical Women Week by Week) "Many commentators have argued that the women performed menial tasks at the Tent of Meeting, that they were merely cleaning servants. However the technical Hebrew word used for 'tasks' has a military connotation in contrast to more general terms for 'work' and 'service'. The same word is used when discussing the tasks the Levite priests perform…In Hebrew these women are called hatzov'oth asher tzave'u. Elsewhere the root of tzave'u is used, the primary definition is 'to wage war.' So the term seems to mean women warriors who are stationed at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. In the context of the time when Yahweh's title was the Lord of Hosts (the heavenly warriors), the military role these women played would have also been a religious duty."
39:23 with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar, and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear.
The ephod was made with a band around the opening so what it would not accidentally tear. In this culture people tore their clothes when tragedy struck. It was a way of expressing grief and distress. But the priests were not allowed to tear their clothes. It was the priests alone who had the privilege of entering the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God and these priests also had the responsibility not to tear their clothes. Knowing the presence of God meant no tragedy was so bad it would warrant tearing their clothes.
39:23 with an opening in the center of the robe like the opening of a collar, and a band around this opening, so that it would not tear.
The ephod was made with a band around the opening so what it would not accidentally tear. In this culture people tore their clothes when tragedy struck. It was a way of expressing grief and distress. But the priests were not allowed to tear their clothes. It was the priests alone who had the privilege of entering the Holy of Holies, the very presence of God and these priests also had the responsibility not to tear their clothes. Knowing the presence of God meant no tragedy was so bad it would warrant tearing their clothes.
40:34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
God is once again dwelling with his people. The first time since the Garden of Eden. It was a long journey from the Garden to this point and an even further journey until God could dwell with people through his Holy Spirit. We still await the complete fulfilment of Revelation 21:3,“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."
40:34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
God is once again dwelling with his people. The first time since the Garden of Eden. It was a long journey from the Garden to this point and an even further journey until God could dwell with people through his Holy Spirit. We still await the complete fulfilment of Revelation 21:3,“Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."